The unique Sovereign status that the Southern Cherokee Nation enjoys
is a piece of our heritage that we hold dearly. The Southern Cherokee
Nation has maintained this status for generations, and has no intention
to do anything to diminish that status in any way. Because of our
unique position, our relationship with the US government differs than
that of most other Native American Nations, in that an 1866 Act of
Congress Recognized The Southern Cherokee as a Band of the Cherokee
Nation not subject to its Laws and Jurisdiction. In 1867 Southern
Cherokee Delegates to Washington were told by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs that as a Band of the Cherokee Nation, any Government
to Government Relationship with the United States would have to go
through the Cherokee Nation, and that although the SCN was recognized
as a Band of the Cherokee Nation, any monetary benefits would be disbursed
to the Cherokee Nation and not the Southern Cherokee, as the United
States had signed a Treaty with the Cherokee Nation and that the Southern
Cherokee remained under a Cease Fire Agreement and had no final closure
treaty with the United States.

It is this relationship, which is an Act of Congress(14 Stat 799),
that prevents the Southern Cherokee from applying for Separate Federal
Recognition under part 83(b) of the BIA's guidelines, which part 83(b)
disqualifies the Federal Application process, until and unless Congress
ABROGATES the Treaty of 1866 with respect to the Southern Cherokee
Nation. We are however working to establish new, cooperative working
relationships with the United States, and other world governments,
but we will not back down on our position of Sovereignty. And we will
not trade any portion of our Sovereignty for any sort of “BIA government
handouts” whatsoever. If you are to rejoin the Southern Cherokee,
and become a member of the Nation, you must understand the importance
of what our Sovereignty means to us all. "MEMBERSHIP SUBJECTS
YOU TO THE LAWS AND COURTS OF THE SOUTHERN CHEROKEE NATION."

If you are looking for a way to get U.S. government handouts, (you
will NOT receive US govt. Benefits by virtue of enrollment with the
SCN) or you just want to have a card to prove to people that you are
Cherokee, or are looking to enroll for some other self-serving purpose,
you need not apply as you are wasting your time as well as ours. To
paraphrase:

“Do not come to us with your hands held out, but instead with
your Heads held High in pursuit of Prosperity.”

However, if you are sincere in your desire to reunite with your Cherokee
ancestry, to live and practice your native religion and traditions,
and are willing to be SUBJECT TO OUR LAWS AND COURTS, then you are
welcomed home. We seek to educate our Cherokee members about their
traditional Cherokee heritage, culture, language and religious practices
as handed down from the Ancestors. If that is your true desire, and
you are willing and able to put the good of the entire Southern Cherokee
Nation above your own personal desires, then we encourage you to send
in your enrollment application right away. We look forward to welcoming
you back into our great Nation once again.